Questions(s)2: Revelation.

[nHissvc]

Are the "churches" mentioned in the following passage represented today and if so, what are their contemporary counterparts?:

"Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." (Revelation 1:11)


What is the capacity of the "angels" within the respective churches (i.e. who/what are they?), in the following passage?:

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20)


Thanks,

--Blessings.

[Lookin^Up]

As I understand the churches of Revelation 2-3, they are actual churches located at the eastern tip of Asia Minor that John is writing to, possibly the cluster of churches John had been ministering to. Paul's ministry, on the other hand, was more widespread than localized, and I have always believed (though I don't have proof) that the other apostles were also busy with the same work, even though we have no record of it.

Anyway, back to the churches. The characteristics of these churches certainly can be found in modern ones because human nature never changes. Some have strayed from their original calling, for instance, like the church at Ephesus. Some tolerate promiscuity and false doctrine in their number, like Pergamum and Thyatira. And so on.

As for the "angels," they have been seen by various commentators as the pastors of those churches, actual spiritual beings protecting those churches, or in general the "spirit of fellowship." Personally, I favor the first view, but I'm open to differences of opinion.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Dave hit it - there are representatives of these kinds of churches all over the world. Good ones. Not-so-good ones. Things don't really change...

I've noticed Laodicea and Ephesus seem very prevalent in this day and place (U.S.).

[Lookin^Up]

Correction: they're on the WESTERN tip of Asia Minor. Sorry about that, Chief.